I’m attempting a greener spring, and not just outside but inside as well. When I think about how many chemicals my family is exposed to, inside the house, it makes me a little sick.
I try to do the right thing and have as little impact on the is planet as I can but, let’s face it, we are all used to our modern conveniences. I’m typing this on a computer made up of lots of plastic and metal, connected to electricity and a modem, in a warm, well lighted house. All of those things come together for one little blog post, it’s hard to imagine what kind of impact the rest of my life has.
So I try to do little things around the house to make up for it all, at least a little. Cleaning supplies are a struggle for me. Vinegar, baking soda, borax, lemon juice and more, all make good, effective, Earth friendly cleaners. The struggle for me is that I’m still brainwashed by the chemical scents. I love the smell of a clean house, even though smell has no scent and it’s just the chemicals, my brain refuses to believe it’s clean if it doesn’t smell like a pine forest, or vanilla, or lavender, whatever the scent of the week is. Still, I try to banish those from my home. By not buying cleaning products not only am I not putting chemicals into my home, I’m also not purchasing all that additional plastic.
Most air fresheners are so toxic it’s amazing they can call them air fresheners, but oh how I love the way they smell! Sprinkling baking soda on carpet and in smelly shoes works just as well to banish odors. If you must have scents try soy candles or essential oils, much healthier for your family.
Then there is that mound of paper products we plow through every week. That is one area where I feel somewhat successful. I started using cloth napkins years ago and I knew it had become a family habit when my daughter prefers cloth to paper. I haven’t bought paper towels in a few months, this was hard for me. I don’t use paper towels excessively but I did like them for draining bacon and wiping up greasy messes. I try to keep old cloth napkins around for the really yucky jobs. If they are ready to be thrown away anyway I might as well use them for the cruddy jobs before I toss them. Toilet paper, don’t even think about it. I’ve read about people who use alternative methods but I am not even interested in pursuing those. I do try to buy recycled and then I refuse to think about it. When it comes to personal hygiene, I’m not sacrificing.
What little steps are you taking for a greener spring?